Is Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes true?

Question

Is Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes true?

Answer 1

My guess is no. If it were, there would probably be extensive study we'd be hearing about in regards to how they further would be able to stretch the effects of the operation (i.e. long term intelligence for the Forrest Gumps and Charleys of the world) and such.

Answer 2

It's science fiction. The operation itself and the subliminal learning machine are technologies we don't have. Keyes' clever use of psychiatric and medical jargon makes it seem believable.

Answer 3

It is considered fiction. Fiction is the telling of stories which are not entirely based upon facts.

The ideas for Flowers for Algernon developed over a period of 14 years and were inspired by numerous different events in Keyes' life, starting in 1945 with Keyes’ personal conflict between his parents pushing him through a pre-medical education and his own desire to write. Keyes felt that his education was driving a wedge between him and his parents and this led him to wonder what would happen if it were possible to increase a person’s intelligence.[4][5][6] Another key moment came in 1957, while Keyes was teaching English to students with special needs; one student asked him if it would be possible to be put into a regular class if he worked hard and became smart.[6][7]

Different characters in the book were also based on events and people in Keyes' life. The character of Algernon was inspired by a university dissection class, while the name came from the poet Algernon Swinburne which Keyes thought was an unusual name. Nemur and Strauss, the scientists who develop the intelligence enhancing surgery in the story, were based on professors Keyes met while studying psychoanalysis in graduate school.

Its an awesome book, makes you question alot about the world we live in.